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Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears.
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Like a madman who throws 1firebrands, arrows, and death
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is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, "I am only joking!"
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For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no 2whisperer, 3quarreling ceases.
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As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is 4a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.
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5The words of 6a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.
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7Like the 8glaze covering an earthen vessel are fervent lips with an evil heart.
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Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips and harbors deceit in his heart;
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9when he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are 10seven abominations in his heart;
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though his hatred be covered with deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
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11Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling.
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A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth works ruin.